Cinematography



June 1 1926.

J. A. BALL CINEMATOGRAPHY Filed NOV. 2. 1921 Jase 2777 (Z. 19056 y wfiw v 716a. Zf0rz16 9 5 Patented June 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, JOSEPH A. BALL, OF JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, T TECHNICOLOR MOTION PICTURE CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

CINEMATOGRAPHY.

Application filed November 2, 1921. Serial No. 512,398.

This invention relates to cinematographic films of the type comprising a plurality of component strips secured together in superposition to form multi-ply films and more particularly to color cinematographic films in which the component strips respectively carry complemental images differently colored, the images of each complemental set being positioned in superposed registry. In

two-color films one series of images may represent the red aspect of the object field and the complemental series the blue-green aspect. In three-color films the three com plemental series may represent respectively the red, green and violent aspects of the object field.

In the production of such multi-ply films considerable difficulty has been experienced in securing the accuracy of registration of the complemental images which is necessary in the art of cinematography Where the images are of the order of magnitude of a postage stamp and are enlarged in projection from one to twohundred times and up ward. Another difficulty is presented by the tendency for the composite film, formed by uniting the component strips, to buckle and warp and more particularly to display wavy edges.

It has been proposed to produce multi-ply films of the character referred to by printing, developing and coloring the component strips separately and subsequently cementing them together. However, this method has proved unsatisfactory for the aforesaid and other reasons but principally for the reason that the complemental images. can

- not be made to register accurately.

of film treated in the same way, that fresh film shrinks about one-twentieth per cent per day for many days if unsealed, and that cinematographic film expands approximately one-hundredth per cent for each added degree of humidity in the surrounding atmosphere. Inasmuch; as the superposed complemental images must be registered to at least within approximately one-thousandth of an inch, it is difficult if not impossible to secure satisfactory results as long as unequal shrinkage or expansion takes place in substantial degree in' the interim between printing the component strips and joining them together.

While the aforesaid differences and variations in shrinkage may be so small as to be negligible for a single pair of pictures, in

combining long series of cinematographic pictures where these errors are cumulative, inaccuracy of registration soon becomes excessive. For example, in a continuous process of cementing a plurality of complemental strips together with the complemental images in superposed registry, where the strips are continuously fed together bet-ween pressure rolls, the images soon fail to register even though the strips are started with the images at the rolls in exact registry. If it be attemptedto correct the aforesaid errors by stretching one or the other strip other difficulties, such as mechanical injury to the sprocket holes or Warping of the composite film, are encountered.

The objects of the present invention are to overcome the aforesaid difficulties, to produce a multi-ply film which is substantially flat and undistorted, and to attain reg s tration of a plurality of series of superposed images accurately and rapidly.

In one aspect the present invention involves a method of making multi-ply'cinematographic films which comprises joining the component strips prior to the developing process. For example, in making twocolor cinematographic films having super posed complemental images, the respective series of complemental images may be printed (or directly exposed) on separate strips which are cemented or otherwise secured together back-to-back with the images of each complemental set in superposed registry, and the resulting composite film then carried through the developing process. By s multaneously subjecting all the images of each set of complemental images to the developer, as by passing the lilni gthwise through the developer, the images of the respective series may be developed in. a single operation, thus automatically subject ing all the images of .ZiCll compleincntal set to exactly the same degree of development. However, if it is desired to develop the re speetivc series differently, this may be done for example by floating the lilm on the developers, first with one side in contact with one developer and subsequently with the other side in contact with the other (level oper, suitable apparatus for this purpose being disclosed in prior application tier. No. 497,590, filed September 1., 1921.

if the finished complemental images are to be in the form of reliefs the component strips are preferably printed or otherwise exposed through the back, as disclosed in copcnding application Ser. No. 512,202, filed on even date herewith, and the exposure is preferably effected as disclosed in applications Ser. l lo. 512,390, and Ser. No. 512,- 391 also filed on even date herewith.

In another aspect the invention involves perforating the component strips before printing and then printing and joining the strips before they have substantially shrunkon or expanded or at least before they have shrunken or expanded unequally. This is preferably accomplished by successively passing the strips through perforating, printing and cementing machines. A standard perforating machine may be employed and the strips may be perforated either simultaneously, by feeding them through the perforator in superposition, or separately. If perforated simultaneously the strips may be superposed face-to-face, back-to-back or face-to-back, but if superposed either faceto-face or back-to-back With both strips traveling in the same (or reversed) direction as they subsequently travel through the pro jector, and if printed as hereinafter described, they may be joined together with each pair of simultaneously punched perforations in registry and bearing the same angular relationship to each other, that is having corresponding sides in superposition.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the sprocket holes of the respective strips Will register accurately, particularly if the strips are perforated simultaneously or successively on the same machine.

The component films should be perforated When at the same temperature and they should be subjected to like conditions of temperature and humidity for a sullicient period of time prior to being perforated to be in substantially the same condition at the time they are perforated. Likewise the component films should be in the same condition of temperature, etc, when they are printed, also when joined to, ;ether. iv'lorwvcr. the respective films should subjected to sub stantially the same conditions in the interint between perforating and exposing. also in the inte. 'm between exposing and join so not to expand or shrink unequally in these interims; and these comlitious are preterably constant so that no shrinkage or expansion takes place. between the time they are perforated and tie time they are joined together. The most reli bio and simple way of insuring this equa ity of condition, so far as I am aware, is to keep the films in a room of substantially constant temperzu ture and humidity for a considerable time before perforating them, and then to print them simultaneously and join them together, preferably in the same room, With a minimum loss of time in said interims. indeed the perforating, exposing and joining may be etl'ected in a single passage of the lilm stool: successive locations along the path of travel. However, the strips may be perforated successively and printed successively if not subject to substantially different conditions of temperature, etc, for a substantial time between the successive operations.

The respective strips may be exposed in any suitable Way, as by contact printing or projection printing, but they are preferably printed by apparatus such as disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 512,399, filed on even date herewith.

The component strips are preferably joined by cementing them together and. while this may be accomplished by hand or in various other Ways, 1 recommend the use of apparatus such as disclosed in application Ser. No. 500,82, filed September 15, 1921.

After the component strips have been ecmented together, but preferably before the composite film is subjected to the developing process, the liquid of the cement may be expelled from the film by subjecting the film to the action of heat which evaporates the liquid, chiefly through the celluloid and gelatin coatings. This causes the film to dry quickly and evenly, and in cases where the cementing process tends to distort the film the heating counteracts such tendency. In case the distortion tendency is pronounced, due to inferior film or cement or imperfections in the cementing process or to other. cause, the flatness and straightness of the composite film maybe further improved by subjecting it to tension While heated.

' In order to illustrate the nature of the invention I have shown a concrete embodimeht in the accompanying drawings, in

Fig. l is a diagrammatic View showing one order ofprocedure;

Fig. 2 is a detail View showing one way of printing the component strips; and,

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing another way of printing the strips.

In the particular scheme illustrated in Fig. 1, component. strips S and S of pos1- tive film stock are fed from rolls 1 and 2 into parallel juxtaposition, thence through perforating mechanism indicated schematically at P, thence over rollers 3, 4, 5, 6,7

and 8 past film gates G and G of printer P, thence over rollers 9, 10, 11 and 12 to cementing mechanism C, thence through heating chamber I-I, thence through the developing apparatus D, thence through the drying chamber X, thence over staining troughs T and T, and thence through drying chamber Y to take-up reel Z.

The printing mechanism P comprises feed and take-up reels 13 and 14: and roller 15 and 16 for feeding the negative N past the filmgates G and G. The lamp-house of the printer preferably has two lights L and L and a diaphragm M having an opening which isin alignment with lamp L and gate other strip. If the images of each complement-a1 set of negatives are juxtaposed as disclosed in Fig. 2 (and also in copending application Ser. No. 415,-

074, filed October 6, 1920) the film gates G and G may be juxtaposed so as to print the images of each complemental set simultaneously or they may be separated a distance equal to two images spaces so as to print one image ('e. g. the red record) of oiie set at the same time as the other image (e. g. the green record) of the next adjacent set., If the images of each complemental set are separated on the negative the film-gates should be similarly separated to printthe complemental images simultaneously.

Thus in Fig. 1 I have shown the film-gates separated by two picture spaces simultaneously to print one image of one set and the other image of the adjacent set, and in Fig. 2 I have shown the relationship of the films when printing juxtaposed images of the same pair simultaneously, pair F having been printed and pair F being in printing position. Inasmuch as the printing mechanism shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 is disclosed and claimed in aforesaid application Ser. No. 512,399, only the general plan thereof and its combinationwith the other mechanism is herein disclosed.

WV hen one image of one pair and the other image of an adjacent pair are printed simultaneously and when the printed pairs are to be brought into registry at a subsequent location in a continuous process, the paths of the strips between the film gates and the subsequent location may be made unequal in length. Thus in Fig. 1 the roller 12 is off set more than roller 11 so that the images of each complemental set are brought into registry at the cementing mechanism C. (\V hen the complemental negatives are arranged in a single row on the negative film, the negative film must be advanced a greater distance than the positives, e. g., two picture spaces to each single advance of the positive strips in the illustration.)

If the positive-images are to be developed after the positive strips are cemented together, as hereinafter described, the emulsions should be on the outside when brought together, in which case the strips S and S are wound on reels 1 and 2 with their emulsion sides directed inwardly toward the axes of the reels. Thus in the illustration the positive strips are exposed through the celluloid. With the strips thus exposed, the images may be converted into reliefs by hardening the gelatin throughout the exposed' portions and etching off, i'. e., dissolving, the unexposed portions of the gelatin.

Inasmuch as the cementing apparatus C is preferably constructed as described and claimed in aforesaid application Ser. No. 500,842, I have only indicated it diagrammatically by showing pressure rolls 17 and 18 and an arrow A to indicate the application of cement.

The heating chamber H is preferably elongate as shown, hot air being introduced at '19 and exhausted at 20. The temperature of the air is preferably of the order of 140 F, and the length of the chamber such that each part of the film is heated for approxi mately 4 minutes, although their factors may vary considerably under different conditions.

If the film is to be subjected to tension while heated it may be pulled through the chamber H, e. g. by making roller 21 a drive sprocket.

If the pull on the film due to the friction in the rear of the drive sprocket is not sufficient to give the desired tension, certain of the rollers, e. g. 11 and 12, may be provided with brakes. However, a low tension, e. g. about one pound, is ordinarily sufficient and this can readily be secured without the use of brakes. Indeed, other rollers such as 7 and 8 preferably constitute drive sprockets to avoid too much tension.

In making relief images the developing apparatus may comprise a series of tanks through which the film is successively fed to develop, bleach, fix and etch same, after which it may be passed through the drying chamber X, before passing over the staining troughs T and T and the drying chamber Y to the take-up reel Z.

Fig. 3 illustrates a method of printing positive strips from a negative having complemental pairs of images with their heads directed in the same direction (instead of opposite directions as in Fig. 2) and with the images of each pair separated two image spaces. As shown in Fig. 3, the negative N and the positive strips S and S are advanced in the direction of the arrows, the negative two image spaces at a time and each of the positive strips one image space at a time, the backs of the positives being directed toward the negative in the event that the emulsions are to be exposed on the sides next to the celluloid supports. B y printing the positive strips from opposite sides of the negative, the complemental images register with each other when the strips are subsequently placed together back-tdback (or face-to-face).

In Fig. 3, T and'T indicate sources of printing light. The positives may be printed either in contact with the negative or by projection. Instead of printing both positive strips in a single passage of the negative film, they may be printed successively in an ordinary printer, the negative being turned over between the two operations if it is desired to unite the strips back-toback or face-to-face.

I claim:

1. The method of making mult-i-ply cinematographic films which. comprises joining the component strips subsequent to the printing process and prior to the developing process.

2. The method of making multi-ply cinematograpic films which comprises forming latent complemental images on the component strips, joining the strips together with the complemental images in registry, and subsequently developing the latent images.

The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental series of latent images on the component strips respectively, and joining the strips together with the complemental images in superposed registry before the strips have substantially shrunken or expanded.

4. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental series of latent images on the component strips respectively, joining the strips together with the complemental images in superposed registry, and subsequently developing the latent images.

5. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises successively perforating and exposing a sensitized strip and uniting it to another strip, 1'

strips being exposed through the back to form the latent images next to the back, uniting the component strips together with the complemental images in registry, and subsequently converting said images next to the back into reliefs.

8. The method of making multi-ply cinen'iatographic films which comprises exposing two component strips through the backs to form latent complemental images next to the backs, joining the strips back-to-back with the complemental images in registry, and subsequently converting the latent images into reliefs.

9. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises exposing two component strips through the backs to form latent complemental images next to the backs, fusing the strips back-to-back with a solvent cement, with the complemental images in registry, and subsequently converting the latent images into reliefs.

10. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises exposing two component strips through the backs to form latent complemental images next to the backs, joining the strips together back-to-back with a solvent cement, with the complemental images in registry, evaporating the solvent through the strips, and converting the latent images into reliefs.

11. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises exposing component strips to form latent complemental images therein, uniting the strips back-to-back with a cement comprising a liquid, with the complemental images in registry, expelling the liquid through the strips, and subsequently developing the latent images.

12. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating a sensitized strip and forming latent images thereon, and then uniting the strip with another strip before the sensitized strip has substantially shrunken or expanded.

13. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating a sensitized strip and forming latent images thereon, and then uniting the strip with another strip before the latent images have been converted into patent images.

14. Themethod of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating a sensitized strip and forming latent images thereon, and then cementing the back of said strip to another strip before the sensitized strip has substantially shrunken or expanded.

15. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating a sensitized strip and forming latent images thereon, and then cementing the back of said strip to another strip before the latent images have been converted into patent images.

16. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises exposing component strips to form latent complemental images therein, uniting the strips back-to-backwith a cement comprising a liquid, with the complemental images in registry, and heating the united strips to expel the liquid, the latent images being developed after the strips are amited together.

17. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises exposing component strips through the backs to form latent complemental images next to the backs,'uniting the strips back-to-back with the complemental images in registry,

simultaneously developing the images oppo site each other-and converting them into reliefs, and subsequently coloring opposite images differently.

18. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental images in the respective strips, joining the films together back-toback with the complemental images in accu-' rate registry, and subsequently treating the images on opposite sides difierently.

19. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental images in the respective strips, joining the, films together back-toback with the compemental images in accurate registry, and separately wetting the images on opposite sides respectively with different compositions.

20. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental images in the respective strips, joining the films together back-toba-ck with the complemental images in accurate registry, and subsequently floating the multi-ply film first with one side in .contact with one solution and then with the other side in contact with another solution.

21. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating the component strips when in like condition, subsequently forming complemental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition, and subsequently ]01I11Il condition with the complemental images in superposed registry.

22. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating the component strips when in like condition, subsequently forming complemental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition, subsequently joining the strips together when in like condition, with the complemental images in superposed registry, and subjecting the strips tolike conditions of temperature and humidity in the interims between said posing and joining. 1

23. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating the component strips when in like condition, subsequently forming complemental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition subsequently joining the strips together when in like condition, with the complemental images in superposed registry, and subjecting the strips to substantially constant conditions of temperature and humidity in the interims between said perforating, exposing and joining.

24;. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition, joining the strips together back-to-back when in like condition, with the complemental images in superposed registry, and subsequently developing said latent images.

25. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming complemental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition, joining the strips together back-to-back when in like condition, with the complemental images in superposed registry, subsequently developing said latent images, and subjecting the strips to like conditions of temperature and humidity in the interim between said exposing and joining.

26. The method of making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises forming comp emental latent images in the strips respectively when in like condition, joining the strips together back-to-b-ack when in like condition, with the complemental images in superposed registry, subsequently developing said latent images, and subjecting the strips "to substantially constant conditions of temperature and humidity in the interim between said exposing and joining.

27. The methodof making multi-ply cinematographic films which comprises perforating a sensitized strip and forming latent perforating, ex-

images thereon, similarly perforatmg another component strip, and then uniting the two strips with the perforations reg stry before the sensitized strip has substantially shrunken or expanded.

28. The method of making muiti-piy cinematographic films which comprises perfo- 5 rating a sensitized strip and forming latent in'iztges thereon byexposure through the back, similarly perforating another component strip and then cementing the hack of the sensitive strip to the other component strip With the perforations in registry before the latent images on the sensitive strip have been converted into "patent images.

Signed by me at Boston, Mass. this 29th day of @ctober 1921. 

